A drug dealer used the names of characters from hit TV series The Wire to hide his identity when spending his ill-gotten money on cars and phones.

Raphael Castillo was known as the ‘godfather’ of a major drugs operation in which dealers from London moved in to a West Country town to sell heroin and crack cocaine.

The 29-year-old registered his car under the name of Marlo Stanfield – a ruthless drug dealer in the acclaimed HBO crime series, set on the streets of Baltimore in the US - and his phone under the name of another master criminal from the show, Avon Barksdale.

But after Avon and Somerset police caught up with him, Castillo ended up sharing the fate of many of the show's criminals, when he was jailed for five years and eight months.

Raphael Castillo registered his car and phone in the names of characters from TV crime drama The Wire.

When officers searched his flat in London they discovered a lavish array of luxury goods, including a £7,300 Rolex watch, a Fendi designer backpack valued at £2,500 and trainers worth in excess of £1,000.

Around £3,000 in cash was also found hidden in a speaker in the boot of his car.

Rolex watch found in his flat

His crimes were carried out in Yeovil between March and September last year.

Today’s court hearing was told Castillo made more than £70,000 through dealing and he was ordered to pay back the £12,775 he has left.